Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B15/00—Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives
  • G08B15/02—Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives with smoke, gas, or coloured or odorous powder or liquid
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F41—WEAPONS
  • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
  • F41H9/00—Equipment for attack or defence by spreading flame, gas or smoke or leurres; Chemical warfare equipment
  • F41H9/06—Apparatus for generating artificial fog or smoke screens

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method and a device for controlling and powering a smoke generator.
• a smoke generator is an electrically ignited device for producing a non-toxic opaque smoke.
• a specific application for smoke generators is the use as an active addition to alarm systems.
• alarm systems are commonly used in domestic houses, industrial premises, commercial premises and office premises as well as other premises and buildings to detect unauthorized intrusion such as burglary, damages and similar.
• the smoke generator normally is activated in connection with activation of other alarm functions, such as sound signals and a request for assistance that is sent to a remote monitoring station.
• An anti-intrusion security system in accordance with EP2778599 comprises fog-generating devices which impairs the sight of an intruder when activated.
• the devices for generating the fog comprise a heat exchanger for heating and vaporising the fluid with a resistor embedded on a body.
• an intruder detection system is activated, an appropriate signal is sent to an anti-intrusion security system that initiates delivery of fog.
• a device for controlling and powering a smoke generator comprising a power output connected to said smoke generator for activating thereof.
• the invention relates also to a method for controlling and powering the smoke generator. There is a special concern about the possibility of having an accidental activation of the smoke generator. Once the smoke generation is activated, the pyrotechnic nature of the product disables the possibility of stopping the smoke generation.
• Fig. 5 is a timing diagram showing different steps for enabling and activation of the device in accordance with the invention.
• the alarm system comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of premises perimeter detectors 14, such as a first premises perimeter detector 14a and a second premises perimeter detector 14b.
• the premises perimeter detectors 14 are, for example, detectors sensitive to the presence or passage of persons and objects.
• presence detectors include motion detectors, such as IR-detectors
• passage detectors include magnetic sensors arranged at windows 16 and doors, such as an entrance door 18.
• Other detectors with similar properties can also be included.
• the alarm system fur- ther comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of premises interior detectors 20, such as a first premises interior detector 20a and a second premises interior detector 20b.
• the interior detectors may include IR-sensors.
• the control unit 12 is connected to the premises perimeter detectors 14, the premises interior detectors 20 and to input means 22, such as a keypad or similar, for arming and disarming the detectors 14, 20 to arm and disarm the alarm system.
• the control unit 12 is activated and controlled by the input means 22.
• the control unit 12 is provided with the input means 22.
• the input means 22 is a remote device, such as a wireless remote device.
• the input means 22 is arranged in the vicinity of the entrance door 18.
• the input means 22 is arranged in any suitable location or is a portable device, such as a cell phone.
• the detectors 14, 20 are, for example, provided with wireless communication means for communicating with the control unit 12.
• a smoke generator 36 capable of producing and distributing an opaque smoke after being initiated and activated by the alarm system, preferably through the control unit 12.
• the smoke generator 36 can be arranged on a wall by a wall attachment or be designed to be placed on a table or shelf. After being activated the smoke generator 36 will emit smoke that eventually will fill the premises in the building.
• An embodiment of the driver circuit 46 of the smoke generator 36 as shown in Fig. 3 comprises a charging unit 50, a switching unit 52 and a con- necting unit 54.
• the charging unit 50 comprises charging means, such as capacitors or similar components capable of storing electric energy, and electronic circuits for controlling supply of current from the power supply unit 40 to the charging means, c.f. Fig. 4.
• the charging unit 50 is connected to the central unit 44 and will receive a Charge signal when a smoke generator activating signal has been received by the central unit 44.
• the charging process of the charging means will take some time before an appropriate amount of energy has been obtained. In various embodiments a fixed time period is assigned for the charging process. In other embodiments the actual charged amount is measured by the central unit. No activation of the canister is possible during the charging process.
• a timing process for enabling and activating the smoke generator 36 is further explained below with reference to Fig. 5.
• the driver circuit 46 further comprises a testing unit 62 which is connected to the canister 38.
• the testing unit 62 has an input Test and an output Vtest. By applying a signal at input Test it is possible to detect presence of the canister 38 and also to detect information relating to the physical status of the canister 38. These data can be used to detect tampering attempts and when exchange of the canister is due.
• the switching unit 52 comprises in the shown embodiment a second active component 53.
• the second active component 53 is a P-channel trench MOSFET, such as one available from NXP SEMICONDUCTORS as PMV27UPE.
• PMV27UPE P-channel trench MOSFET
• An activation signal at input Trigger will connect a first pole 56 of the canister 38 to the charging means 60.
• Restricting resistor RD will limit current also in a situation where an activation signal at input Trigger is given in error during a time period where also a signal is provided at Charge input.
• Normal steps for activating the smoke generator to provide smoke include provision of input signal at input Charge.
• This input signal and also other signals indicated in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are provided by central unit 44 on the basis of signals received from the control unit 12 indicating an alarm situation.
• HIGH implies supply voltage VCC or a voltage level close to that.
• LOW implies ground GND or a voltage level close to that.
• An ON state of all active components corresponds to a closed switch condition, that is a condition where a maximum current flows through the component.
• An OFF state of all active components corresponds to an open switch condition, that is a condition where practically no current flows through the component.
• Signals at HIGH level are considered to be of opposite polarities as compared to signals at LOW level.
• Timing diagram of Fig. 5 shows how input signals CHARGE, TRIGGER and CONNECT interact to produce output FOG1 during normal conditions.
• the first step for activation of the smoke generator will be to activate input signal CHARGE by setting first active component 51 into ON state. This is done by applying a LOW signal. All other active components being in an OFF state current will flow through first active component 51 and through resistor RD to charging means 60.
• time period T1 in Fig. 5 is equal to about 500ms.
• input signal CHARGE is set to HIGH to set first active component 51 into OFF state. As a result, charging of charging means 60 is stopped.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Control Of Eletrric Generators (AREA)
• Alarm Systems (AREA)
• Fire Alarms (AREA)

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Citations (7)

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• 2016
  • 2016-11-04 EP EP16197292.2A patent/EP3319055A1/en active Pending
• 2017
  • 2017-10-31 AU AU2017353293A patent/AU2017353293B2/en active Active
  • 2017-10-31 CA CA3042574A patent/CA3042574A1/en active Pending
  • 2017-10-31 PE PE2019000933A patent/PE20191285A1/es unknown
  • 2017-10-31 ES ES17791107T patent/ES2829334T3/es active Active
  • 2017-10-31 WO PCT/EP2017/077901 patent/WO2018083091A1/en active Application Filing
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  • 2017-10-31 US US16/347,221 patent/US11098984B2/en active Active
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• 2019
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